Deputy Search and Rescue Coordinator

SOS MEDITERRANEE is a civil European rescue association founded in 2015 to face the humanitarian tragedy and the lack of adequate state rescue capacity in the Mediterranean on the deadliest maritime migratory route in the world since 2014. Created by a group of European citizens, our maritime and humanitarian organisation has three missions:

1. To rescue people in distress at sea.
2. To protect and assist survivors on board our ship.
3. To bear witness and raise awareness about the tragedy unfolding in the central Mediterranean.

Today, SOS MEDITERRANEE is a network composed of four European entities (Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland) sharing the objective to support our rescue operations at sea. Search and Rescue (SAR) operations have been carried out since February 2016 in the Central Mediterranean off the Libyan coasts with the chartered ships Aquarius and Ocean Viking. To date, over 40.000 people have been rescued by SOS MEDITERRANEE.

Aim of the position:

Under the management of the Search and Rescue Coordinator, the Deputy Search and Rescue Coordinator (Deputy SARCo) is in charge of supporting the operation of SOS MEDITERRANEE on board.

NB: The selected candidate might be required to alternate between the positions of Deputy SARCo and SAR officer every two rotations.

Main responsibilities:

Collecting, centralising, archiving and communicating evidence about all activities and observations of the ship

• Maintains evidence recording material (VTap, manual audio recorders, backup microphones, CCTV camera).
• Logs all the activities, observations and SAR-related communications of the ship in a very detailed timeline and share it with the relevant people.
• Coordinates collection of Bridge watch observations, ensure they are all included in the timeline and in the logbook if relevant, requests additional information on observations from SAR Team members or OOW.
• Gathers, treats, organises and archives all evidence.
• Ensures proper back-up of all information.

Supporting the SARCO

• SAR-related communications to maritime authorities: prepares the draft email for the SARCo according to the situation/phase
• Prepares the Maritime Incident Report (MIR) draft
• Ensures the maintenance of the AIS roaming station
• Feeds the Communication Officer and journalists with factual details about the operations from the timeline
• Monitors Bridge activity while the SARCo is engaged in a phone call/VHF communication and is ready to substitute for him/her

Communication

• Is in charge of liaising with the rest of the team on the ship when necessary and upon request by SARCo, including for the dispatch of SITREPs
• Could participate to testimonies, interviews and/or signature of press release and other communication to the general opinion onto the situation on the ship, within the communication lines of SOS MEDITERRANEE

Management

• Supports and helps the SARCo to coordinate, supervise, SOS MEDITERRANEE teams on board.
• Ensures that all teams have received the necessary information to perform their duties.
• Supports the SARCo in managing the team dynamics on individual and group level. Supports the SARCo in resolving any conflicts.

Procedures, tactics and strategy

• Participates in the drafting, updates and evolution of SOS MEDITERRANEE Operational strategy in collaboration with the SARCo. Supports the SARCo in monitoring and analysing of the SAR context.
• Participates in developing, simplifying, and streamlining overall SAR framework/processes, to ensure operational sustainability (short, mid, and long term) with the end objective of clean efficient rescue in collaboration with the SARCo.
• Proposes continuous improvement of existing framework/processes/procedures or tactics in collaboration with the SARCo.
• Ensures that equipment set-up adheres to SOS standards and advises relevant people on shore and on board of major modifications needed in collaboration with the SARCo.
• Ensures respect of the procedures and processes as established at institutional level in collaboration with the SARCo.
• Supports the SARCo in the drafting, design and update of the SOPs related to the interaction with other actors including but not limited to: the Libyan Coast Guard (and other maritime Libyan actors), the relevant RCC, the other SAR NGOs, the port authorities, and ensures such SOPs are implemented.

Internal coordination and Reporting

• Supports the SARCo in consolidating a report of the rotation with all relevant information for SOS MEDITERRANEE
• Organises hand-over with the next Deputy SAR Coordinator
• Debriefs systematically all rotations with the onshore team
• Liaises with onshore team to provide an overview and a first analysis of the collected data

Maintenance of equipment and arrangements

• Oversees the state of all project equipment and arrangements, other than those under the responsibility of the Tech (RHIBs and auxiliaries)
• Is focal point on board for Planned Maintenance System (PMS). Liaises with concerned people/departments on board and on shore to organise the maintenance jobs
• Monitors and updates the maintenance admin tools (SeaHub, joblist,ecc)
• Performs other duties as assigned

NB – The job description of the SAR Officer position will be shared following the first interview.

Profile sought:

• Maritime Deck Officer experience.
• STCW BST (Basic Fire fighting; Personal Survival Techniques; Personal Safety and Social Responsibility; Basic First Aid).
• STCW Security Awareness.
• Seafarer Medical Fitness Certificate.
• GMDSS GOC.
• 3 years’ relevant professional experience in maritime environment including Bridge supervision positions.
• Work experience in multicultural environment.
• Knowledge of Maritime Law and regulations.
• Nautical expertise (navigation, ship’s stability, meteorology, etc.)
• Knowledge of safety and security on board.
• Knowledge of ISM system.
• Knowledge of SAR operations and technical requirements. Knowledge of IAMSAR Manual.
• Specific vocabulary knowledge, IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases.
• Fluent in English (spoken and written).
• Proven track record in team/people management.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Good command with MS Excel, Word, and emailing services.
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, autonomous.
• Good interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels.
• Ability to cope with uncertainty and frequent change of plans.
• Ability to respond to requests quickly and accurately.

Contract conditions:

• Contract Type : Fixed Term Contract from February 2025
• Ship-based position
• Evenings and week-end work
• Europe-wide travel
• Salary :depending on the type of contract (SPOT contract or long fixed-term contract) and of the position during the rotation.
  • LT contract: From 1700 – 2400 € gross monthly (paid every month)
  • SPOT contract: From 2400 – 3500 € gross monthly (paid during rotation time only)
• Insurance on-board and off-board